Google’s latest foldable, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, is once again in the spotlight, but not for the reasons the company would like. YouTuber JerryRigEverything, known for his tough durability tests, has revealed that the new foldable not only snaps in half like its predecessors but also catches fire during testing. This raises serious questions about Google’s claims of improved durability and design refinement.
No matter how much marketing language Google uses to highlight the strength and durability of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, the reality is very different when the device is tested in the real world. In the video, Zach subjects the device to his usual durability tests, and once again, the antenna line becomes the breaking point. The same place where the Pixel Fold and Pixel 9 Pro Fold also failed.
What makes things worse this time is that the battery caught fire when the phone was bent. As the device snapped, smoke started coming out, followed by flames that even triggered a fire alarm during the video shoot. It is the first time a smartphone has ever caught fire in any of Zach’s durability tests, which he has been doing for nearly a decade.
It is surprising that even after multiple generations of foldables, Google has not fixed the same weak point. If the Pixel 10 Pro Fold can break this easily under pressure, it raises serious concerns about its long-term durability. A smartphone that costs this much should not be this fragile.
Irony is that Google calls this “the most durable foldable ever made.” But as we see, that is far from the truth.
Also see: Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold Vs Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
We can expect that Google’s engineering team will now face questions about battery safety and the positioning of antenna lines. A redesign could finally appear in the Pixel 11 Fold if the company wants to rebuild trust with consumers.
Foldable phones are already under scrutiny for durability, and this incident does not help. Samsung has spent years improving the Galaxy Z Fold lineup to make it more resistant to wear and tear. Google, on the other hand, still seems to be struggling with the basics.
